Texas Rangers’ Yu Darvish could return Sunday

Mar 4, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) reacts during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Arlington, Texas – Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish is close to returning to the starting rotation.  I’m sure everyone had a sigh of relief after the MRI came back with no structural damage and he was cleared to resume baseball activities.

15-day DL: Darvish will have to wait a few more days before he can return.  He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on March 30, but it was retroactive to March 21.  That means he’ll be able to come off of the DL on April 5.  After yesterday’s game where the Texas Rangers were hammered 14-10, it seemed every pitched was hit hard.  The only pitcher to not post an ERA above 9.00 was Seth Rosin.  After that kind of day, everyone was talking how bad they missed Darvish.  It appears he’ll be back soon.

Finally throwing: Darvish started his road back this past weekend.  He played some long catch on Saturday and threw on flat ground some on Sunday.  Finally today he pitched in the bullpen from the mound.

The Texas Rangers released an official press release today on an update about Darvish

"“Pitcher Yu Darvish continued his throwing program on Tuesday with an 86-pitch bullpen session at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Working with pitching coach Mike Maddux, Darvish did a simulated session that was the equivalent of four innings.Darvish felt strong and experienced no physical issues. He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday to determine the next course of action.” (Official Press Release)"

Rangers need him: In my opinion, this is much needed for the Rangers.  They have had one of the best bullpens in baseball the past few years, but with out Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Yu Darvish, that bullpen has been heavily plucked to make a starting rotation.  With Yu Darvish back, that will probably send down Nick Martinez.  And hopefully in another week Colby Lewis will return.

If the pieces can start to fall back in to place, the bullpen will again be solid and this team will be able to make its march towards October.  But, a healthy Yu Darvish is a huge key for that goal.  All signs right now point to him being healthy, fingers crossed he is.  One thing I’m happy about, he’s in his own bed or at least a new one when he’s on the road.  Not blaming it on the mattress in Surprise, but maybe it was.  Though, Darvish never blamed it on the bed, I’m just trying to make sense of this and hoping it was something simple.

Back issues: Darvish did have issues with his lower back near the end of the season last year and saw a specialist at the end of the season, lets hope that’s the end of that news.  Without Darvish in the rotation for an extended period will result in a rough year for the Rangers.   But again, fingers crossed!  Right now all is good and the Rangers are at .500.  Rangers started off this way last year and went to game 163.  If we can do that again this year, or better, I’m good with that.  Go Rangers!